Rossvale Juniors 0 Forth Wanderers 3

Goals from Kris Jarvie, manager Jamie McKenzie and Tony Traynor gave the Wanderers a comfortable 3-0 victory over Rossvale at Petershill Park yesterday.

Forth started the game brightly and Tony Traynor blasted over in the first minute after a good passing move. The same player went even closer on 3 minutes when he rattled the home keepers left hand post. Rossvale had their first chance on 4 minutes when a cross was headed over but the Wanderers were dominating the early exchanges and Traynor went close again when he forced the keeper into a decent save on 9 minutes.
The opening goal was merely delayed however as Forth scored from their next attack. Kenny Wright scampered down the left wing and his pinpoint cross found the head of KRIS JARVIE who made no mistake from 8 yards.

Just the start the Wanderers were looking for, although as the half wore on Rossvale were more prominent and created a few half chances, none of which found the target. Forth, with manager Jamie McKenzie dictating the play from midfield, were looking for a second goal to give them some breathing space and came close on 42 minutes. Kenny Wright beat the offside trap and raced in on goal but the 'Vale keeper blocked the strikers shot with his legs and Kris Jarvie fired the rebound wide to keep the score 1-0 at half time.

Forth came flying out of the blocks in the second half and had effectively wrapped up the points after 51 minutes with two quick goals. Firstly JAMIE McKENZIE smashed home a 30 yard free kick just after the restart which gave the keeper no chance and then TONY TRAYNOR latched on to a fine through ball and coolly slotted home from 10 yards.

Chic Clark was called into action as Rossvale looked for a way back into the game but was equal to whatever the home side threw at him. Forth created another couple of chances as the second half progressed, Kenny Wright being unlucky not to score before Wright was given a straight red card for swearing at the referee. Now down to 10 men, Forth were content to see the game out which they did to record a comfortable victory.

Now it's on to Keanie Park next Saturday to face Johnstone Burgh, knowing a victory will guarantee promotion. 

'Mon the Forth

Forth team : Clark,Napier,Harty,McKinlay,Grant,Canning,Traynor,McGroarty,Jarvie(Felvus),
McKenzie(Crawford),Wright

Rossvale Preview

The Wanderers take on Rossvale tomorrow at Petershill Park, Springburn kick off 2pm.

Forth will be well aware of the danger posed by the league newcomers after coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 a fortnight ago. On that occasion, Rossvale showed their ability to hit teams on the break with two well taken goals and only a somewhat fortuitous penalty award allowed the Wanderers to get back into it, Kris Jarvie converting. A Chris McGroarty strike levelled the scores with 18 minutes to go but despite almost constant Forth pressure Rossvale held out for a point.

A win tomorrow is essential to keep the Wanderers promotion hopes alive and manager Jamie McKenzie has a full squad available.

McBookie Odds :

Rossvale : 16/5
Draw : 15/4
Forth :  40/85

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 3 Forth Wanderers 2

Another entertaining friendly against the Roy which again ended with the Wanderers losing by the odd goal in five. Forth played some excellent passing football, especially in the first half, orchestrated by the trialist number 10. He opened the scoring with a sweet 22 yard strike midway through the first half and although Rob Roy scored twice to lead 2-1, a pile driver from Bryan Felvus levelled the scores just prior to half time. The home side regained the lead early in the second half and although both teams had further chances as the gloom and rain descended, that was the end of the scoring.

'Mon the Forth

Friendly tonight (25th) away to Rob Roy

The Wanderers play a friendly tonight against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Adamslie Park, Kirkintilloch. The game kicks off at 18:45.

Forth Wanderers 0 St. Roch's 3

The Wanderers were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by St. Roch's at Kingshill Park this afternoon. Forth can have no complaints as the visitors were the hungrier side throughout the match.

Forth had an early shout for a penalty on 5 minutes when Marc Napier released Kenny Wright down the right wing and as his cross came into the box Kris Jarvie appeared to be impeded, but the referee waved away the claims. The Roch's were next to show on 8 minutes when their number 8 saw a shot blocked and could only knock the rebound wide. Gordon Murphy then tried his luck from distance after a Chris McGroarty corner broke out to him but his shot flew over the bar. The Roch's number 10 then headed straight into Chic Clark's arms after an excellent cross from the right found him unmarked at the back post.
The Wanderers then called visiting keeper Daghil into action after a neat one two between Kris Jarvie and Martin Harty ended with the latter firing in a 25 yard shot which was comfortably dealt with.

St. Roch's were beginning to take control of the game and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 14 minutes when a through ball found Ross Mackie clear in the box. The big striker took a touch before neatly dispatching the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Forth were required to make achange on 35 minutes when a crude challenge on Alan Stevenson forced him off injured, being replaced by Tony Traynor.

The visitors had several chances to add to their lead with both Mackie and the number 8 shooting wide, while Chic Clark pulled off a great stop just on the half time whistle. Forth had another penalty shout when a Kenny Wright shot appeared to strike a hand but overall were fortunate to be only one goal down at the interval.

Forth began the second half purposefully and had an early shot blocked for a corner but it was the visitors who once again began to dominate. Mackie glanced a header wide and substitute 12, slipped as he shaped to shoot and fired over from a good position. The Roch's made their dominance count when they increased their lead midway through the half. Mackie intercepted a Gordon Murphy passback and gave keeper Clark no chance with a neat finish.

The Wanderers had a good spell of pressure at this point as manager Jamie McKenzie pitched his final two substitutes into the fray in an attempt to get back into the game. However, some resolute defending by the visitors limited chances to shots from distance and all were comfortably dealt with.

As Forth pressed, this gave more space to the Roch's and their substitute 14 forced Clark into a fine save before the same player was denied by a fantastic double save from Clark although as the ball broke Craig Crawford was adjudged to have fouled a Roch's attacker and a penalty awarded. The Roch's number 8 made no mistake from the spot.

The home side had one further chance when a short corner was returned to McGroarty from Traynor and the midfielder's shot was heading into the top corner until the head of a Roch's defender diverted it for a corner.

A disappointing day at the office for the Wanderers although credit to St.Roch's who, in my opinion, produced the finest performance I've seen against the Forth this season. Two games to go and six points required. Hopefully, this will be enough to secure promotion.

Forth team : Clark,Napier,Harty(Felvus),McKinlay(Newall),Grant,Stevenson(Traynor),McGroarty,Wright,
Jarvie,Murphy

St. Roch's Preview

The Wanderers host their last home game of the season tomorrow when they take on St. Roch's at Kingshill Park with a 2pm kick-off.

The ‘Candy Rock’ are enjoying a good season under the management of Davie Greig, having reached the 5^th round of the Junior Cup where they fell to favourites Auchinleck Talbot, after disposing of Bankfoot, Fraserburgh and Girvan  in the previous rounds.

They are also amongst the promotion favourites in the 2^ndDivision, sitting on 29 points, 11 behind leaders Carluke but with 4 games in hand. To date, they’ve won 9 of their 15 games, drawing 2 and losing 4, scoring 38 goals and conceding 17 in the process.  They suffered a painful defeat on Wednesday at Johnstone Burgh, when, despite dominating large parts of the game, they fell to a disputed last minute goal.

The Wanderers have already played the Roch’s twice at Provanmill Park this season, losing narrowly on both occasions. The league meeting, way back in August, resulted in a 2-1 win for the home side, Forth conceding a late goal after Gordon Murphy had levelled things up in the second half. More recently, St. Roch’s triumphed 4-3 in the West of Scotland Cup, with Chris McGroarty (2) and Martin Harty on target for the Wanderers.

Forth manager Jamie McKenzie is without Paul Gemmell and Kenny Govan and has asked his players to display some of the "arrogance" shown in earlier away victories at Carluke and Lesmahagow.

A vital game for both sides is in prospect, with the Wanderers knowing a victory followed by two further wins will guarantee the title.

'Mon the Forth

McBookie Odds :

Forth : 10/11

Draw : 100/30

Roch's : 17/10

 

Forth Wanderers 2 Rossvale Juniors 2

Two points dropped at Kingshill Park this afternoon as the Wanderers came from 2 goals down to draw 2-2 with Rossvale. The goals came from a Kris Jarvie penalty and Chris McGroarty.

After a slow start to the game, Barry Canning created the first chance when his good run and shot was blocked for a corner. Marc Napier shot over and Gordon Murphy had a free kick comfortably held by the keeper as Rossvale struggled to get out of their own half. Craig Crawford then had a volley blocked by a defender before he sent Barry Canning clear, although the midfielder seemed torn between a shot and a cross and the result was somewhere in between and rolled harmlessly past the post.  Kris Jarvie then sliced wide before forcing the keeper to turn the ball round the post for a corner as another chance went a begging.

As is so often the case in such games, Rossvale broke up the field on the half hour mark and took the lead against the run of play. Their number 11 timed his run from deep perfectly, beating the offside trap,  to run clear and clinically lob the advancing Chic Clark to put the visitors ahead.

Forth then hit the woodwork twice before half-time adding to the growing feeling it wasn't to be their day. Firstly, a McGroarty free kick was met at the back post by Bryan Felvus who nodded against the post and Paul Gemmell fired the rebound wide. Then, just prior to the interval, a McGroarty header hit the other post, hit the keeper, who knew nothing about it ,and rolled out for a corner. In between these chances, the Rossvale number 10 narrowly failed to get on the end of a dangerous cross from the right and the 'Vale number 6 was today's recipient of the weekly "booked for fouling Chris McGroarty" award.

Rossvale started the second half in positive fashion and had the first chance when a headed defensive clearance fell to their number 6 on the edge of the box but he blasted wildly over. Chris McGroarty then had a shot saved and Gordon Murphy's shot from the rebound looked to be heading into the top corner until a timely block diverted it for a corner. The Wanderers were made to pay when Rossvale doubled their advantage on 54 minutes with the simplest of goals. A long ball out of defence seemed to be misjudged by Lewis McKinlay and although the 'Vale number 10 mis-hit his shot, he did enough to beat keeper Clark and make it 2-0.

Forth managed to haul themselves back into the game soon after when they were awarded a fortuitous penalty. Gordon Murphy ran into the visitors box and was judged to have been impeded by a Rossvale defender, sparking consternation from the visiting supporters. Unperturbed, KRIS JARVIE, stepped up and drilled the ball into the net to reduce the deficit. The Wanderers sensed an equaliser and poured forward in search of one and it was no real surprise when it arrived on 72 minutes.A perfect Craig Crawford cross from the right was met by CHRIS McGROARTY on the six yard box and his clinical volley gave the keeper no chance.

Forth could now sense victory with almost 20 minutes remaining but despite creating several chances it wasn't to be. Kenny Wright headed narrowly over, the 'Vale keeper saved well from Kris Jarvie and a McGroarty diving header was cleared for a corner. The best chance came when another perfect Crawford delivery found Jarvie in space in the box but the striker headed over with the goal at his mercy. He may have been better leaving it for Lewis McKinlay who seemed in a better position directly behind him. During this late pressure the Rossvale number 3 was sent off for two bookable offences, the second when he hauled back Kenny Wright as he raced away.

A strangely subdued performance from the Wanderers and it now looks like 3 victories will be required to guarantee promotion. However, I believe we have both the character and the ability to get the points required to achieve our goal.

Next up we have St. Roch's at Kingshill, which will undoubtedly be another tough encounter.

'Mon the Forth

Forth team : Clark,Napier,Gemmell,Grant,McKinlay,Canning,Crawford,McGroarty,
Felvus(Wright),Jarvie,Murphy(Traynor)

Rossvale Preview

Forth entertain Rossvale Juniors at Kingshill Park tomorrow afternoon with a 2pm kick-off.

This will be the first ever meeting between the sides, Rossvale being new entrants to the Junior ranks this season. Based in Bishopbriggs, they play in red, yellow and black and currently ground share with Petershill Juniors in Springburn, where the Wanderers will play the return fixture on the 25th of this month.

Rossvale currently lie 7th in the Division with 21 points from the 17 games played, scoring 27 goals for the loss of 45. After a slow start to their debut season, manager Ian Gray added to the squad with the result that they have now won 7 of their last 10 games. Prior to Wednesday’s surprising 6-1 loss to St. Roch’s, they had won the previous three.

The Wanderers have doubts over Lewis McKinlay, Chris McGroarty and Barry Canning who are all carrying knocks sustained in the hard fought victory at Lesmahagow in midweek.

McBookie Odds :

Forth : 1/3
Draw : 9/2
Rossvale : 21/5

‘Mon the Forth

Rossvale away on Wednesday 25th April

Forth play Rossvale Juniors away at Petershill Park on Wednesday 25th April kick off 6:45 pm.

Lesmahagow Juniors 0 Forth Wanderers 2

Two Kris Jarvie penalties won the Wanderers the points at a rain soaked Craighead Park this evening. A further two penalties were missed, one by each side and Lesmahagow also had two men sent off.

Lewis McKinlay.

A torrential downpour 15 minutes before kick-off meant heavy underfoot conditions at Craighead Park as these two promotion rivals squared up.

The 'Gow were first to show when James Whyte shot wide in the first minute while Forth countered with a through ball to Kenny Wright which just eluded the striker and bounced harmlessly into the keepers arms. 'Gow number 8 Gareth Davies must have thought he'd opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a fine shot looked to have beaten Forth stopper Chic Clark, who was off his line. Clark however, managed to get a hand to it and pull off a tremendous save, a portent of things to come for the home side.
The Wanderers began to play their way into the game and won a couple of corners but these amounted to nothing. Home number 7 James Coffey was proving to be a danger to the Forth defence with his running and movement and Clark had to be alert to tip his fierce shot over the bar on 13 minutes.Coffey was then given a free header at the resulting corner but thankfully for the Forth his effort was high.

The 'Gow wall does it's job. 

Good play by Kris Jarvie then released Kenny Wright into the home box, where he beat his man and shot but keeper Steven Thomson got down well to block and Barry Canning was unable to net the rebound. The 'Gow were then given an excellent opportunity to open the scoring on 23 minutes when Nicky Sullivan was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
However, Forth keeper Clark surpassed his earlier efforts with a magnificent one handed save from Colin Boylan to keep the scores level. Forth seemed to take heart from this and forced a series of free kicks around the home box, Kenny Wright coming closest when his effort flew just the wrong side of the post with keeper Thomson struggling.
Another Forth attack resulted in an excellent Gordon Murphy cross being cleared but only as far as Barry Canning whose ferocious shot was blocked by the arm of Nicky Sullivan on the line. A stonewall penalty and a straight red card for the 'Gow forward.
Chris McGroarty stepped up, but his penalty was well saved by Thomson down to his left.
The Wanderers pushed for an opener prior to half-time against the ten men but an excellent four man move ended with Canning shooting over and no-one was able to capitalise when a 25 yard shot from Paul Gemmell was spilled by Thomson.

Considering the conditions, an entertaining first half for the fans with the 'Gow starting the stronger and Forth coming more into it as the game wore on.

Kris Jarvie's second penalty sends the keeper the wrong way.

With a one man advantage Forth unsurprisingly started the second half the brighter with Murphy testing keeper Thomson soon after the restart before a Lesmahagow cross was only partially cleared by Clark requiring a Chris McGroarty block on the 6 yard box to prevent a goal from the resultant shot.

On 52 minutes a searing Barry Canning run ended with the referee deciding he'd been fouled in the box and awarding a softish penalty. This time KRIS JARVIE stepped up and finished sweetly high to the keepers right. Undettered, the 'Gow had a great chance to equalise on 52 minutes when a Forth free kick was blocked by the wall and cleared upfield. There seemed no danger when David Grant elected to play the ball back to keeper Clark but his pass stuck in the mud allowing Liam Fagen to run through on goal unobstructed. Although his shot beat keeper Clark it rolled agonisingly wide of the goal, much to the relief of the travelling support.

The extra man in the energy sapping conditions allowed Forth to now take control of the game and two efforts from Kenny Wright and one from Chris McGroarty were comfortably saved by Thomson. Not to be denied,Wright again broke clear in the box and was hauled down by Barry Murdoch, resulting in another penalty and another straight red card after 71 minutes. Again, KRIS JARVIE converted with the minimum of fuss, this time low to the keepers right, sending Thomson the wrong way in the process.

Kris Jarvie receives the congratulations.

That should've been that, but to their credit the 9 men of Lesmahagow kept plugging away and nearly halved the Forth advantage when keeper Clark was dispossessed outside his area but he recovered to save the ensuing shot. Forth had a couple of  opportunities through Wright and Craig Crawford but were unable to capitalise further on their numerical superiority.

There was still time for a moment of controversy however. As a player from each side lay injured in the Forth box with keeper Clark and the referee in attendance the ball broke to a 'Gow player just over the halfway line. Ignoring shouts to put the ball out, he elected to fire a shot into the unguarded Forth goal as was his right as no whistle had gone.
Unsportsmanlike ?  Yes. Within the letter of the law ? Yes.
The referee chose to see it differently and seemed to award a bounce ball for some reason. Perplexing.

An entertaining game in testing conditions and a great three points for the Forth. As Wanderers manager Jamie McKenzie stated after the match, at this stage of the season it's the results that matter rather than the "pretty" football.

Thanks to Andy Irvine for the 'Gow team lines.

'Mon the Forth

Forth team : Clark,Napier,Gemmell,McKinlay,Grant,Stevenson (Crawford),Canning,McGroarty,Wright,Jarvie (Felvus),Murphy(Traynor)

Lesmahagow : Thomson, A.Brown, L.Brown,Murdoch,Cunningham,Boylan,
Coffey,Davies,Fagen,Whyte,Sullivan

St Roch's match scheduled for Saturday 21st

Forth will play their last home game of the season against St. Roch's at Kingshill Park  on Saturday 21st April at 2pm. This leaves the Wanderers with away games against Rossvale and Johnstone Burgh still to be scheduled.

Lesmahagow Preview

The Wanderers take on Lesmahagow for the second time in less than three weeks when the teams meet at Craighead Park on Wednesday night with a 6:30 kick off.

The 'Gow will certainly feel disappointed not to have taken all three points from the recent match at Kingshill but poor finishing from their forwards, and a great performance from Forth keeper Chic Clark, meant the points were shared. The Wanderers can also take heart from the fact they had to play the last third of the match with 10 men after Martin Harty was sent off.

Lesmahagow currently sit a point behind the Wanderers with a game in hand, so this game will undoubtedly have a major bearing on the promotion race. The 'Gow left it late to defeat Maryhill on Saturday, while the Wanderers lost by the odd goal in three to Wishaw. However, putting things in perspective, it was the first league defeat for the Forth since September 10th last year and enough pressure was exerted and chances created to win Saturday's match against a dangerous Wishaw side.

All in all, it's shaping up to be a cracker which should attract a healthy crowd to Craighead Park. It's to be hoped however, that the early kick off time doesn't have a detrimental effect on the respective squads.

McBookie Odds :

'Gow : 21/20
Draw : 16/5
Forth : 6/4

'Mon the Forth

Forth Wanderers 1 Wishaw Juniors 2

Despite Forth leading at half-time through a Chris McGroarty penalty, two second half Wishaw goals saw the visitors record a 2-1 victory over the Wanderers at Kingshill Park yesterday.

Gordon Murphy wins a tackle.

Forth keeper Chic Clark dealt well with an early cross come shot from Wishaw number 11 Clarke before Forth won the first of over a dozen first half corners, from which Lewis McKinlay headed wide. Good play from Gordon Murphy then found Kenny Wright on the right wing and his perfectly flighted cross was met by the head of Craig Crawford. Unfortunately for Forth, although the header flew past the keeper, a defender was on the line to clear . Crawford then found Wright on 13 minutes and his powerful shot was turned over by impressive visiting keeper Harkness. The Wanderers were winning corner after corner at this stage but just couldn't make the breakthrough. A short McGroarty free-kick to Murphy looked to have created an opening but the shot was blocked by a quick thinking defender.

Martin Harty heads clear.

Although Forth had enjoyed the lion's share of the play up to this point, Wishaw still posed a threat on the break and this was exemplified around the half hour mark, when they created a couple of good chances. Firstly keeper Clark did well to save a powerful shot before several good blocks from the Forth defence kept the subsequent efforts from troubling the keeper. Clark then had to turn away a Moore shot at full stretch, the Wishaw number 10 proving a thorn in the side of the Forth defenders whenever he was on the ball.

Kenny Wright bursts through the Wishaw defence.

The Wanderers then came agonisingly close to opening the scoring when another McGroarty corner found Martin Harty at the back post who headed back across goal for Kenny Wright to head against the bar. Harkness then did well to turn a vicious Harty strike away for a corner as Forth attempted to make the breakthrough prior to the interval. On 43 minutes the Wanderers had a penalty shout for handball turned down by the whistler although barely one minute later a penalty was awarded. Whether for handball or a push in the box wasn't clear but it made no difference to CHRIS MCGROARTY who calmly sent Harkness the wrong way to give the Wanderers a 1-0 advantage at the break.

Kenny Wright unleashes a shot.

Early in the second half, an industrial tackle on Chris McGroarty resulted a booking for the offending Wishaw player. This seems to be becoming a regular occurence and I'm struggling to remember a match when an opposing player wasn't booked for fouling Chris. It's to his eternal credit that he gets up, brushes himself down and gets on with it without getting involved. The same player then appeared to be tripped in the Wishaw box but again the Forth appeals were waved away.

Chris McGroarty fouled again.

Wishaw were now much more prominent as an attacking force and a great tackle from Marc Napier took the ball from the feet of Moore as he shaped to shoot. The visitors then had half-hearted appeals for a penalty turned down before another good block from Napier prevented McStay breaking through. Gordon Murphy then had a good run down the left but his cross was well cut out by Harkness before another Forth chance saw Murphy shoot wide. Forth keeper Clark then clawed away a free kick on 65 minutes before the Wanderers created an excellent opportunity to double their advantage. Substitute Kris Jarvie received the ball in the box with his back to goal, expertly turned his defender, rounded the keeper and hit the outside of the post from a wide angle. Had he elected to square the ball however, an unmarked Kenny Wright would've had the simplest of tap-ins.

Wishaw on the attack.

Forth were made to rue this missed opportunity on 73 minutes when Wishaw were awarded a penalty after David Grant was adjudged to have fouled Moore in the box. Before the penalty could be taken however, Wishaw number 4 Hamilton was sent off after an off the ball incident involving Lewis McKinlay. Undaunted by the delay, Moore stepped up to take the spot kick and although Clark saved his initial effort, he was quickest to react and netted the rebound to level the scores.

Worse was to follow for Forth on 79 minutes when a hopeful punt from Wishaw keeper Harkness evaded the Forth defence and allowed substitute Connaghan the time and space to coolly lob Clark and put the visitors 2-1 up. Forth pressed for an equaliser and Bryan Felvus came close with a header from a Gordon Murphy cross but it wasn't to be and Wishaw held on for the win.

A vital game now looms on Wednesday, away to Lesmahagow, where a victory is essential to keep us on track for promotion.

'Mon the Forth

Forth team : Clark,Newall,Napier(Traynor),Grant,McKinlay,Stevenson, Harty(Felvus),McGroarty,Crawford(Jarvie),Wright,Murphy

Wishaw Preview

Forth welcome a resurgent Wishaw Juniors to Kingshill Park on Saturday for a Central League 2nd Division match.

Wishaw suffered a disappointing start to the season, their first at their new Beltane Park home, but the installation of John McKeown as manager and the addition of several new players has seen them become one of the form teams in the league. Recent highlights include a 5-0 thrashing of Blantyre Vics and, last week, a 6-2 demolition of title challengers Lesmahagow. The goals in the 'Gow match were shared between David Hamilton, John McStay and Clark Rafferty who all chipped in with a brace.

Wanderers manager Jamie McKenzie knows John McKeown from his playing days and describes him as "a winner" although he admitted surprise in how quickly he had turned things around at Wishaw. However, although Wishaw will be accorded the respect they deserve, he believes the Wanderers squad is a match for any in the league and will react in the right manner to last week's defeat.

The Wanderers have their strongest squad available for several weeks, although the game has perhaps come too soon for Bryan Felvus on his return from injury and Kenny Govan recovering from his concussion sustained in the dying moments last week.

Programmes will once again be available tomorrow after selling out in the previous two games and bringing  welcome funds into the coffers.

McBookie Odds :

Forth : 2/7
Draw : 5/1
Wishaw : 9/2

'Mon the Forth

Fundraiser Cancelled

The Wanderers fundraiser which was to be held this Saturday has been cancelled.